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Series recap: Blue Jays sweep four-game series against Yankees in most important series of the last decade
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 4, 2025, 07:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 4, 2025, 07:04 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ four-game series against the New York Yankees was the biggest in a decade.
Coming into Monday, the Blue Jays were three games back of the Yankees for the top spot in the American League East. After Thursday, the Blue Jays moved into sole possession of the division lead, sweeping the Yankees in a four-game home series for the first time in franchise history (they had 26 prior attempts).
On Monday, the Jays went down 2-0 in the top of the fourth and were down 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth before exploding for four runs to win 5-1. No home runs were hit, but the Blue Jays were 4-11 with runners in scoring position.
The Blue Jays earned at least a series split on Tuesday, as they won a wild won 12-5, thanks in large part to a grand slam from George Springer, his second of the game at that point. It was a nice way to celebrate Canada Day.
Another day, another wild win for the Blue Jays on Wednesday. They were up 7-0 after one inning and were up eight at one point, but allowed the Yankees to crawl back into the game, tying it at nine in the top of the eighth thanks to Aaron Judge’s home run. As they’ve done all season, the Jays were able to find a way, scoring twice in the bottom of the eighth to win 11-9.
With a chance to sweep the Yankees at home in a four-game series for the first time in franchise history, the Blue Jays did just that with an 8-5 victory on Thursday. Springer hit two more home runs, while he, Addison Barger, and Nathan Lukes all had a three-hit night. With the win, the Jays moved into sole possession of the top spot in the American League East, the latest they’ve held the position since September 2016.
That’s a lot to digest, so how did the hitters do? Well, Springer hit an incredible four home runs in 19 plate appearances, giving him a 446 wRC+, by far the best series he’s ever had as a Jay. Andres Gimenez also had a strong series, hitting a home run off Max Fried on Tuesday and finishing with a 370 wRC+.
Barger and Davis Schneider each hit two home runs, with the latter hitting two in the same game. Schneider is the right-handed power bat the Blue Jays needed coming off the bench. They finished with a 336 and 322 wRC+, respectively. Nathan Lukes finished with a 317 wRC+ in eight plate appearances, one being a 14-pitch at-bat that drove in two runs on Thursday.
Will Wagner had a strong series, appearing in three games where he slashed .250/.455/.375 with two doubles, finishing with a 150 wRC+.
Surprisingly, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was left out of all the fun, slashing .176/.263/.222 with no home runs in 19 plate appearances for a 26 wRC+. Ernie Clement also had a tough series as well (38 wRC+), but both players had clutch base hits. Alejandro Kirk also finished with a wRC+ below 50 but had a two-run single to kick off the party on Wednesday. Myles Straw had a rough series with the bat, but a great one with the glove.
Bo Bichette, Tyler Heineman, and Leo Jimenez had limited plate appearances where they struggled. Jonatan Clase was sent down for Jimenez but finished with a 191 wRC+ in his two plate appearances.
Pitching was a mixed bag once again. Max Scherzer and Kevin Gausman each went five innings with two earned runs allowed. Jose Berrios cruised through four innings before suddenly imploding (thankfully, not literally) in the fifth to let the Yankees back into the game on Wednesday. Chris Bassitt didn’t have his best stuff on Thursday, but he went five and two-thirds innings with three earned runs allowed.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen is burnt out, and it showed in this series. Mason Fluharty allowed an earned run in his inning of work. Yimi Garcia struggled in his return, giving up a two-run blast to Judge. Justin Bruihl gave up an earned run but got the batter he faced on Thursday by hitting him with a pitch and getting a strikeout.
For the first time in his career, Braydon Fisher gave up an earned run in relief, as two of his runs scored. Brendon Little also allowed two runs in his two and one-third innings pitched. Yariel Rodriguez pitched two and one-third innings as well, giving up one run. Only Nick Sandlin, Jeff Hoffman, and Chad Green pitched scoreless outings; Green and Hoffman each pitched in three games.
The Jays have a chance to build on their lead, as they host the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series over the weekend. Their season turned around the last time they played the Angels in May, so hopefully, they can keep it going.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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